'Twilight' actor charms mall crowds

WALLKILL — The only thing Serena Smacchia talks about these days is "Twilight."

Alyssa Sunkin

WALLKILL — The only thing Serena Smacchia talks about these days is "Twilight."

The 11-year-old from New Windsor is obsessed with the vampire romance novels penned by Stephenie Meyer and brought to the big screen last year.

Smacchia has read the four novels six times, and not an inch of bare wall space can be found in her bedroom, as it's covered with "Twilight" posters. And now she can add an autograph to her collection.

On Sunday, Smacchia and hundreds of other "Twilight"-crazed fans got the chance to meet one of the actors behind the movie series.

In an event sponsored by the Hudson Valley Federal Credit Union, Peter Facinelli, who portrays the vampire Dr. Carlisle Cullen, the head of the Cullen clan, visited the Galleria at Crystal Run in the Town of Wallkill to give autographs and take photos with his adoring fans.

"It's very humbling to have people come here and want to meet me," Facinelli said of his celebrity status. "It amazes me."

But he's now using that status for the benefit of others, using this event and many others like it as a way to promote good causes. Fans purchased autographs for $25 or photographs for $40, and a portion of those proceeds will be donated to Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation, an organization that fights childhood cancer.

"It feels really good to be able to use my name to actually spread awareness ...," Facinelli said. "It's been great to able to use it in a positive way."

That resonated with Alison Demarest, 38, and Cathy Manger, 39, both of Montgomery.

"It's a great cause, and, as a mother, it's great to see him getting involved to help children," said Manger, who brought along her two children, Emma, 7, and John, 10.

But that's not the only reason the two women came to the event.

"He's easy (on) the eyes," Demarest said with a chuckle.

Fans waited hours for Facinelli. Joe Iorio, 24, of Goshen, and his friends Alicia Crain, 21, and Jenn Bickel, 20, both of Warwick, were the first in line for autographs. They arrived at 2 a.m. Sunday.